Doctor Suzanne Sisley is an amazing woman — she’s the only doctor in the country who has federal permission to conduct research on how medical marijuana can help veterans. Her study was supposed to be housed at the University of Arizona, but rather than let her conduct it, the university fired her with no explanation whatsoever. As an Iraq veteran and an Arizona alum, I’m fighting to help Doc Sisley get her job back so she can continue her groundbreaking research to help veterans.

I know firsthand how important Doc Sisley’s work is, because I had severe PTSD when I came home from my tour of duty in Iraq. I experienced insomnia, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and fits of rage. My doctors tried for years to cure my PTSD, gave me every pill they could think of. Nothing worked, until 2010, when I started using medical marijuana.

I wish you could see how much medical marijuana changed my life, made it possible for me to do simple things like get some sleep at night. It gave me so much pride and hope that Doc Sisley was going to do research at my alma mater to bring this miracle to other veterans like me.

This isn’t just a matter of one woman losing her job unfairly. Doc Sisley’s study could be a matter of life or death for many veterans. Our veterans are committing suicide at an astonishing rate: 22 every single day. Medical marijuana is one of the most promising avenues of treatment for these at-risk veterans, and Doc Sisley’s study could make the difference in getting that treatment to those who need it the most.

Our veterans risk their lives overseas. The least we can do for them is provide them with the best care possible when they come home.

The good news is that petitions really work in cases of unfair teacher firings. Already this year, two teachers have gotten their jobs back after petitions supporting them took off on Change.org. I know that if enough people sign my petition, we can help Doc Sisley, too.

Amy, I too have no time for doctors etc. Yesterday marked one month for me without AFO brace. something my physiatrist told me I could not doas well as my physical therapists; but I fooled them…now I’ll work on doing more things I supposedly couldn’t do.After my stroke I returned to work and learned 2 new jobs in the course of my ‘recovery’ period. I have just kept on going forward…always forward. Marta

amy, even Peter Levine says, “Once an AFO, always an AFO.” I don’t remember his reasoning, but it’s in his book (1st edition, at least). I was really mad I’d been stuck in one without knowing its implications.

when I read Levine’s comment the first time, I sent him pissed-off email telling him that he was WRONG, that I had no intention of keeping that monstrosity. He backpedal led then, and said it would take a lot of hard work, as well as an electronic stimulation gadget (WalkAid or Bioness) to do so. I told him that hard work was fine with me, and I later bought a Bioness.

I went back and found he gave three reasons that combined say why a patient won’t be able to walk without the AFO eventually. It still makes me mad that I was expected to wear one without anyone telling me the repercussions. I’d probably have done it anyway because it got me home sooner to be able to walk. And I’d have ignored them telling me I wouldn’t be able to walk without one.

AMY, SIGNED PETITION. READ THAT YOU WROTE ABOUT BALANCE PROBLEM BUT YOU NOW CAN WALK. I CAN’T. HOW WAS YOUR BALANCE RESTORED? YOU TALK ABOUT RECOVERY FROM STROKE CAN TAKE YEARS. I’M MUCH OLDER THAN YOU, BUT YEARN TO GET RID OF WHEELCHAIR AND WALK DRIVE CAR AGAIN. HELP! I ADMIRE YOUR POSITIVE ATTITUDE VERY MUCH.

Well, I can’t pinpoint one thing as to how my balance was restored. Scratch that, my balance is far from restored, but it’s pretty good and I can walk. Sally I highly recommend you start some sort of meditation practice.

I know and I agree. I’m writing a post about the night I had my seizure. It’s going to be a long one because I’m writing a letter to the head of the hospital also. Long story. I should have it done and posted within a few days. Eva

AFO stands for ankle foot orthotic. It’s a brace that goes from your mid foot up to about the middle of your calf and stabilizes everything. The point of it is to keep your foot up and clearing the ground when you walk because some people aren’t able to lift the foot when they swing their leg forward. Since your stroke was in the cerebellum, I don’t think an AFO would help.

Categories

Meta

Disclaimer…

This blog IS NOT intended to be medical advice of any sort. I am writing about my experiences, my knowledge, and my opinions. My goal is to tell people what I'm going through and hopefully help someone.
____________________________________________
All that being said, rest assured that everything you read on this blog is written by a highly educated, highly trained, and highly experienced medical practitioner.
_____________________________________________
Dr. Amy Elder (formerly Shissler) PT, DPT, Cert. MDT------my full name and title